Shoe stiffener and fastener



(No Model.)

- J. W. COTTAM.

SHOE STIPFEN BR AND FASTENER- No. 495,309. Patented Apr. 11, 1893.

I Invenh Witnesses:

W I I I I 4;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

JOHN W. COTTA M, OF MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE STIFFENER AND FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 495,309, dated April 11, 1893.

Application filed August 29, 1892. Serial No. 444,407- (No model.)

To an whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. COTTAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Milford, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe Stifieners and Fasteniugs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevation of a shoe with stifiener applied. Fig. 2 is a transverse section in detail taken on line 00 m Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective detail View of stiffener.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in shoes, and it consists in the provisions of means for stiffening the uppers along the lower lateral edges of the front opening, whereby gaping or spreading is prevented when the shoe is laced; and the lower lacings ordinarily employed may be done away with.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the upper of a shoe, having the usual front opening b, the lower lateral edges of which are provided with my improved stiffenings, as now to be described. Inserted between the leather of the upper or vamp and the lining or facing strip 0 at each side, is a rigid stiffening piece 0, which preferably consists of an oblong piece of metal doubled or folded upon itself in the manner shown, and inclosing a strip 0 of leather or similar material. These strips extend from the lower end of the opening up theinstep to the point to which an ordinary shoe is unlaced in putting on and removing from the foot. The strips 0, which are inclosed within the stifieners, project beyond the ends thereof, and at the lower ends are formed with enlarged extensions D, D, which are stitched in between the lining and the lower edge portions of the Vamps. The strips 0 are also extended beyond the upper ends of the stifieners, as shown at d, (1, such extendedportions being stitched in between the Vamps and the lining or facing strips. The upper edges of the stiffeners are inclosed in a covering or binding e of leather, which is secured by stitches f through the Vamps and the lining or facing strips. A row of stitches f also extends through the uppers below the lower edge of each stiffener. The lacing holes or hooks begin at the upper ends of the stiffeners. The first eyelet passing through the stiff 6o ener. By this construction of the shoe, the lower lacing is dispensed with, thereby efieeting a considerable saving of time and labor in lacing and unlacing the shoe, the stiffenings preventing any gaping or spreading.

Having described this invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As an improvement in shoes, the combination with the uppers, of the stiffening strips 0, one of which is inserted and inclosed between the leather of the upper and the facing strip 0, at each lower lateral edge of the front opening of the shoe, the flexible strips around which said stiffening strips are bentor clasped, 7 5 said flexible strips having portions projecting at each end of said stiffening strips, said projecting portions being stitched in the shoe, aseries of lacing holes or hooks above said stifiening strips, and binding strips over the outer 8o edges of said stiffening strips, substantially as specified.

2. As an improvement in shoes, the combination with the uppers, of the rigid stiffeniugs inserted and inclosed between the Vamps and the linings or facings, along the lower lateral edges of the front opening, the flexible strips inclosed in said stiffenings and having projecting ends stitched in the uppers and the binding strips for the upper edges of the 0 stiffeners, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. OOTTAM.

Witnesses:

LESLIE HAYWARD, H. S. CUSHION. 

